As the winter approaches, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission in Ukraine, is continuously scaling up its shelter rehabilitation programme to improve living conditions for displaced persons in Ukraine. In Vinnytsia, with the financial support of the European Union, and in coordination with the city and the oblast authorities, IOM renovated a collective centre, hosting about 200 persons who fled the war from other regions.

In a dormitory of a local educational facility that serves as a temporary home, IOM rehabilitated 10 shower rooms, installed shower cabins, toilets, washbasins, partitions, and mirrors. The drainage and water supply systems, and electrical network were also changed. In addition, a ramp was installed to ensure that displaced persons with disabilities and reduced mobility can access the rooms.

"With this support, the collective centre will provide safer and more dignified temporary accommodation to its residents, including 50 displaced children, currently living here," said Rafaelle Robelin, IOM Senior Programme Coordinator. "We will continue working with the Vinnytsia authorities to provide the most needed assistance to the most vulnerable living in collective centres and work towards improving the living conditions of displaced persons."

"We had outdated drainage and water supply systems, and they were replaced from the first to the fifth floors. People are satisfied, every resident who lives here is grateful to have a more convenient, high-quality, and comfortable living space," noted Volodymyr Nartovskyi, the director of the facility.

Earlier, IOM provided a water purification system, a washing machine, a dryer, as well as towels, kitchen sets and hygiene kits to support displaced residents of the centre due to the war. Similar support was provided to other facilities and municipalities hosting IDPs in the region, currently home to over 180,000 of displaced Ukrainians, including 5,000 children.

“IOM was one of the first international organizations to lend a helping hand," said Deputy Mayor of Vinnytsia Halyna Yakubovych. "They visited the collective centres to assess the needs. The city hosted about 42,000 displaced people and we were not ready to accommodate such big numbers."

Through the work of its regional hub and local partners, IOM supports communities in Vinnytsia Region, improving living conditions of IDPs with rehabilitation works, providing cash support, improving access to clean drinking water, providing non-food items and protection services, as well as launching psychosocial support. These activities are implemented with the support of the EU, Canada, the Government and the people of Japan, the US Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and the German Federal Foreign Office, amongst other donors supporting IOM interventions at the country level.